What is a pizza puff?

A pizza puff is a deep-fried or baked pastry filled with cheese, pizza sauce, and various toppings like pepperoni or sausage. It has a flaky, crispy outer layer, making it different from calzones or pizza rolls. Pizza puffs are especially popular in Chicago and are often served at fast-food restaurants and pizzerias

How do you make homemade pizza puffs?

To make pizza puffs at home, follow these steps: Prepare a thin dough or use store-bought puff pastry. Roll out the dough and cut it into squares. Add pizza sauce, cheese, and toppings to one side of the dough. Fold the dough over and seal the edges with a fork. Deep-fry at 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes per side or bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

Where can I buy pizza puffs?

Pizza puffs can be found at: Fast-food restaurants in Chicago, such as Al’s Italian Beef and Maxwell Street Express. Grocery stores in the frozen food section, where brands like Iltaco Foods sell ready-to-cook pizza puff. Local pizzerias and delis that offer fresh, handmade pizza puff.

Are pizza puffs healthy?

Pizza puff are a delicious treat, but they are high in calories and fat, especially when deep-fried. If you want a healthier version, you can: Bake or air-fry instead of deep-frying. Use whole wheat dough for extra fiber. Choose lean meats and vegetables instead of processed toppings. Reduce the amount of cheese to lower saturated fat content.

Pizza Puffs : The Best Guide to This Crispy and Cheesy Snack

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pizza Puffs:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup mini pepperoni (or chopped regular pepperoni)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil (optional)
For Serving:
- ½ cup marinara or pizza sauce for dipping

Instructions

Instructions:

Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line with paper liners.
Prepare the Batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the milk and egg until combined.
Combine Ingredients:
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until well mixed.
- Fold in the mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, Parmesan cheese, and basil.
Fill the Muffin Tin:
- Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full.
Bake:
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool & Serve:
- Allow the pizza puffs to cool slightly before removing them from the tin.
- Serve warm with marinara or pizza sauce for dipping.

Author: Chef Clara
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Category: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Italian-American